The so-called ADA Education and Reform Act, H.R. 620, is likely to be voted on by the House this week, probably Thursday. HR 620 would eliminate all incentives for businesses to proactively ensure their businesses are accessible to people with disabilities. Instead, people with disabilities would have to notify businesses when their rights are violated, wait six months for the business to act to address issues, and only then bring the matter to court. The bill further exempts businesses from facing any penalties for noncompliance, as long as they can show "substantial progress" in fixing issues. Thus, people with disabilities could be forced to wait to access necessary services for months or even years while waiting for businesses to decide to comply with the ADA.

By shifting the responsibility of ADA compliance from businesses to people with disabilities, Congress is essentially destroying a key element of the ADA. People with disabilities already face substantial obstacles to full participation in public life even as the law stands. Both Rep. Jayapal and Rep. Smith oppose this attack on Americans with disabilities, thank them and urge them to stand strong.

Action 1: Thank our Members of Congress for opposing H.R. 620

Sample Script

“Hi, my name is [NAME] and I'm calling from [ZIP]. I'm calling to thank Rep. [NAME] for opposing HR 620, the ADA Education and Reform Act. I agree with her/him that this bill unacceptably weakens the ADA and will hinder full access to local businesses for people with disabilities. Urge them to do all they can to defeat it.”

While Seattle’s Congressional Representatives oppose H.R. 620, the position of some nearby members of Washington’s Congressional delegation is less certain. Ask friends in Derek Kilmer’s District (D WA-06 Bremerton/Tacoma) and Dave Reichert (R WA-08 Auburn/Issaquah/Wenatchee), at the phone numbers below ,to call on their Representatives to vote no. The suggested script for their calls is the same.

Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County and Northwest Community Bail Fund are partnering this year as a part of the national annual Black Love Bail Out, beginning February 13 and lasting through the end of the month.

You can help: request bail for a friend or loved one, or volunteer to help, make a donation today.

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